from διαβάλλω; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare שָׂטָן):--false accuser, devil, slanderer.
Transliteration:diábolos
Pronunciation:dee-ab'-ol-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term διάβολος (diábolos, `{{G1228}}`) originates from the verb διαβάλλω (diaballō), which literally means "to throw across" or "to cast between." This root meaning evolves semantically to signify "to set at variance," "to accuse falsely," or "to slander." Consequently, διάβολος primarily denotes "a slanderer," "a false accuser," or "a traducer." Its most significant and frequent usage in the New Testament is as a proper noun, "the Devil," serving as the primary designation for Satan, the ultimate spiritual adversary. However, it also retains its more general sense, being applied to human beings who exhibit the characteristics of slandering and false accusation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of διάβολος in the New Testament fall into two distinct categories:
1. **As a Proper Noun (The Devil/Satan):** This is the predominant usage, referring to the personal spiritual entity who opposes God and His people.
* In the temptation narratives, διάβολος is consistently identified as the one who tempts Jesus (e.g., [[Matthew 4:1]], [[Luke 4:2]], [[Luke 4:3]], [[Luke 4:5]], [[Luke 4:6]], [[Luke 4:8]], [[Luke 4:11]], [[Luke 4:13]]). Here, he is the tempter and adversary.
* Jesus identifies Judas Iscariot as "a devil" in [[John 6:70]], indicating not that Judas was literally Satan, but that he was profoundly influenced by or served the purposes of the Devil.
* Paul warns believers against giving "opportunity to the Devil" (e.g., [[Ephesians 4:27]]), and against falling into "the condemnation of the Devil" (e.g., [[1 Timothy 3:6]]).
* In the Johannine epistles, the Devil is portrayed as the one who "sins from the beginning," and Jesus came to "destroy the works of the Devil" (e.g., [[1 John 3:8]], [[1 John 3:10]]).
* Peter describes the Devil as a "roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (e.g., [[1 Peter 5:8]]), urging believers to resist him.
* The book of Revelation frequently employs διάβολος in conjunction with "Satan" (e.g., [[Revelation 12:9]], [[Revelation 20:2]], [[Revelation 20:10]]), identifying him as the "ancient serpent" who "deceives the whole world" and is the "accuser of our brothers."
2. **As a Common Noun/Adjective (Human Slanderers/False Accusers):** In a few instances, διάβολος describes human behavior, applying the characteristics of the Devil to individuals.
* In the Pastoral Epistles, it is used to describe women who engage in malicious gossip and false accusation. Deacons' wives must not be "slanderers" (διάβολοι) (e.g., [[1 Timothy 3:11]]), and older women are exhorted not to be "slanderers" (e.g., [[Titus 2:3]]).
* Paul also lists "slanderers" (διάβολοι) as a characteristic of people in the "last days" (e.g., [[2 Timothy 3:3]]).
* In these contexts, the word highlights the serious nature of malicious speech, aligning it with the character of the ultimate adversary.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of διάβολος is intrinsically linked to several other biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **Hebrew Counterpart:** The most direct parallel is the Hebrew term שָׂטָן (satan, `{{H7854}}`), which means "adversary" or "accuser." The Septuagint (LXX) often translates שָׂטָן with διάβολος, forging a strong conceptual link that is carried into the New Testament.
* **Greek Synonyms/Related Terms:**
* κατήγορος (katēgoros, `{{G2725}}`): "accuser," often used in a legal sense for human accusers.
* ἀντίδικος (antidikos, `{{G476}}`): "adversary" or "opponent," used of the Devil in [[1 Peter 5:8]].
* The verbs πειράζω (peirazō, `{{G3985}}`, "to tempt") and ἀπατάω (apataō, `{{G538}}`, "to deceive") describe common actions attributed to the Devil.
* **Thematic Connections:** The word study of διάβολος naturally intersects with themes such as spiritual warfare, temptation, deception, sin, rebellion against God, and the ultimate triumph of Christ over evil.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of διάβολος is profound and multi-faceted:
* **The Personification of Evil:** διάβολος serves as the primary personal designation for the embodiment of evil in the New Testament. He is not merely an abstract force but a malevolent spiritual being who actively opposes God's purposes and seeks to corrupt humanity.
* **The Accuser and Deceiver:** His core meaning as "slanderer" and "false accuser" defines his primary modus operandi. He is depicted as the "accuser of our brothers" who "deceives the whole world" (e.g., [[Revelation 12:9]], [[Revelation 12:10]]), undermining truth and sowing discord.
* **The Originator of Sin and Rebellion:** While not the creator of evil, the Devil is consistently portrayed as the one through whom sin entered the world and who perpetuates it (e.g., [[John 8:44]]). He represents the ultimate rebellion against God's sovereignty.
* **Defeated by Christ:** A central tenet of New Testament theology is that Jesus Christ decisively defeated the Devil through His death and resurrection (e.g., [[Hebrews 2:14]], [[1 John 3:8]]). This victory disarmed the Devil and laid the foundation for his ultimate destruction. Believers are called to resist the Devil, knowing his power is broken.
* **Ethical Implications for Humanity:** The application of διάβολος to human slanderers underscores that such behavior is not merely a social ill but a profound spiritual transgression. Engaging in false accusation and malicious gossip aligns one with the very character of God's ultimate enemy, highlighting the gravity of destructive speech within the community of faith.
### Summary
The Greek term διάβολος (diábolos, `{{G1228}}`), stemming from the verb meaning "to throw across" or "to accuse falsely," functions primarily as the New Testament's designation for "the Devil," the personal spiritual adversary of God and humanity. In this capacity, he is the tempter, deceiver, and "accuser of the brethren" (e.g., [[Revelation 12:10]]), whose essence is defined by malicious falsehoods and opposition to divine truth. While preeminently a proper noun for Satan, διάβολος also describes human individuals who embody these characteristics, appearing as "slanderers" or "false accusers" in passages like the Pastoral Epistles (e.g., [[1 Timothy 3:11]], [[Titus 2:3]]). Theologically, διάβολος represents the personification of evil, the source of rebellion and lies, whose power was definitively broken by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The use of this term for both the cosmic foe and human behavior underscores the profound spiritual gravity of destructive speech and the call for believers to resist all forms of accusation and deception that align with the enemy's nature.
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